The Sleaford Branch of the Royal British Legion has been delivering Christmas cheer in the form of hampers to those in need.

The branch’s welfare committee has distributed 25 baskets of produce, wrapped up by Four Seasons Garden Centre and Farm Shop, in Silk Willoughby, to members who would most benefit from a little festive gift.

The committee makes about 1,000 home and care home visits to members each year.

Colin Hide from the welfare committee said: “We visit a certain number of people every month with other gifts, but at Christmas time we select 25 people - often they maybe widows of ex-servicemen - and give them a hamper which is provided from branch funds.”

The committee also received a £500 donation from Lincolnshire County Councillor Andrew Hagues, member for Sleaford West and Leasingham, towards the effort.

Clive Candlin, chairman of the Sleaford Branch of the Royal British Legion, said: “He has been a great supporter. When we deliver them we normally get a big grin and it goes down extremely well. It is all part of the ethos of the Legion of keeping in contact and supporting members of the service and ex-service community. They will always have an ex-services connection.”

○ The Royal British Legion had 249 collection boxes around the Sleaford area for this year’s Poppy Appeal. The Army and Air Cadets also collecting for the cause, as did some supermarkets.

The amount collected was £9,700, taking the branch’s total for the year to £25,210.40 - beating its fundraising target of £25,000.

Mr Candlin said: “It has beaten last year’s total and we are still counting. I would like to express our sincere thanks to the people of Sleaford.”

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